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This unique, comprehensive program is a fast track to the world of comedy clubs, film, TV, acting and writing. It is a comedy workshop like no other. |
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Its faculty has taught students who have appeared in movies, network and premium cable television series, commercials, and Broadway and off-Broadway productions. Our students have made development deals with CBS, ABC, FOX, HBO, Paramount, the Henson Co. and Tribune Entertainment. They have made appearances on Letterman, Leno, Conan O’Brien, The Daily Show, SNL, Last Comic Standing, and Comedy Central shows including Comedy Central Presents, one hour specials, and Comedy Central’s Premium Blend. They have appeared in the Montreal, Boston, Las Vegas and Aspen Comedy Festivals. They have appeared in the Edinburgh and New York International Fringe Festivals, and in every comedy club in N.Y. and L.A., and in clubs throughout the U.S. and around the world.
They have written and starred in their own one-person shows, off-Broadway, at Caroline’s on Broadway, the Gotham Comedy Club and the New York International Fringe Festival.
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OUR PHILOSOPHY |
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Our philosophy at the American Comedy Institute is that the best comedy training does three things. One, it helps you find your own comic voice what is original and different and wonderful about your sense of humor. Two, it teaches you how to communicate your unique comedy skillfully, fearlessly and entertainingly to the largest possible audience. And three, it instills love and respect for comedy and its capacity to help us survive by showing us that we can face the truth and laugh!
It is our belief that by offering our students training, performing opportunities, and information, and by introducing their work to the entertainment industry, we are significantly enhancing their capability to pursue comedy as a career.
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COURSE OFFERINGS
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Stand-Up Comedy |
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Comedy Writing |
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This course covers the fundamentals of comedy writing with special reference to the techniques of writing television sitcoms, talk shows, sketch shows, webisodes, podcasts and monologues. The course examines the language, structures, and process of developing comedy material from concept to final draft. It focuses on how to pitch story ideas, how to write and rewrite a script, how to use an audience’s response to edit and punch up material, how to write as part of a team, how to get an agent, and land a comedy writing job. |
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Improvisation |
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Sketch Comedy |
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On Camera TV and Film Audition Technique |
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Acting |
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Commercial Audition Technique |
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Late Night Talk Show Writing and Performing |
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Industry Presentation |
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The One Year Program culminates in an Industry Showcases at Gotham Comedy Club, where students perform both their stand-up and sketch comedy. Casting directors from CBS, ABC, NBC, HBO, MTV, Paramount, and Nickelodeon, along with leading agents, managers, and bookers have seen the work of The One Year Program's graduating students. |
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FACULTY AND APPLICATION
See the Faculty for the One Year Program
Print the Application for the One Year Program
View the Catalogue for the One Year Program
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| "As a direct result of the One Year Program and the American Comedy Institute Industry Showcase, here's what's happened for me all within a month after our graduation show:
An NBC casting director attended the show and set up a meeting for me in Burbank, CA with the NBC casting department. I am now under consideration for roles on Law and Order and three other NBC series filming in New York.
I've become a writer for a sketch comedy show on Ion TV. I am freelancing with 4 agencies- Innovative Artists, Abrams, Ingber & Associates and Paradigm and being sent on auditions weekly.
I have a stand up set that is killing in the A clubs in NYC, at the Comedy Store and Laugh Factory in L.A., and Cobbs in San Francisco.
If you want a fast and direct ride from where you are to where you want to be take the One Year Program."
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"Steve Rosenfield's One Year Program allowed me to develop as a comic and writer years faster then I would have on my own. I graduated with a foundation in acting, writing, and stand-up - and that foundation enabled me to launch a career. From my first show at Stand-Up New York to my first TV credit on Starz, Steve has helped me with it all."
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"The American Comedy Institute's One Year Program launched me as comedian and an actor. The program covers all facets of comedy, and equally important, provides you with a clear idea of how to approach and navigate the entertainment industry.
That's why so many people who study at the American Comedy Institute are working, I played "Officer Bernstein" on All My Children, appeared in episodes of The Sopranos, and continue to make apprearances on Saturday Night Live.
I filmed my first principal role in the movie The Tourist with Hugh Jackman and Ewen McGregor. I signed a two-year deal with a major talent agency.
I perform stand-up in clubs and colleges across the country, including Carolines, Gotham Comedy Club, and The Comedy Cellar.
If you want a career in comedy and want a head start, take the American Comedy Institute's One Year Program."
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"After graduating from the ACI program in 2009 I've been passed to do late night spots at Comic Strip Live and am now doing pro spots at Broadway Comedy Club, New York Comedy Club, and Greenwich Village Comedy Club. I've emceed at the Turning Stone casino near Syracuse working with professional comics and in the past six months have been admitted to and performed in four comedy festivals: New Orleans, LA, Laughing Devil, and the upcoming Out of Bounds festival in Austin, TX. In April I was nominated for Best Stand Up at the LA Comedy Festival.
Steve Rosenfield and the American Comedy Institute gave me the training, support, and inspiration I needed to dive into the NYC stand up scene after moving here from Atlanta in 2008. The program gave me an entry point into working at top clubs around town such as Gotham Comedy Club and Broadway.
After graduating I've been able to perform at the ACI "veteran" shows at Broadway which has been an important and useful development tool in my progress. I'm grateful to the program for instilling confidence in me and teaching me early on the importance of a strong 'industry set.' I would recommend ACI to any aspiring comic looking to immerse him or herself in the NYC stand up comedy scene."
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